“I put the brown paper in my pocket along with the chalks, and possibly other things.
I suppose every one must have reflected how primeval and how poetical are the things that one carries in one’s pocket: the pocket-knife, for instance the type of all human tools, the infant of the sword. Once I planned to write a book of poems entirely about the things in my pocket. But I found it would be too long: and the age of the great epics is past.”
(From G.K. Chesterton’s “A Piece of Chalk”)
Based only on the information provided in the above passage, which one of the
following statements is true?
The author of the passage carries a mirror in his pocket to reflect upon things.
The author of the passage had decided to write a poem on epics
The pocket-knife is described as the infant of the sword.
Epics are described as too inconvenient to write.
Passage Analysis from G.K. Chesterton’s “A Piece of Chalk”
Key Points from the Passage:
The author describes putting brown paper, chalks, and other things into his pocket. He reflects on the poetic and primeval nature of the things one carries. He specifically mentions the pocket-knife and compares it to the infant of the sword. He once planned to write a book of poems about pocket items but decided it would be too long. He does not mention writing a poem on epics, only that the "age of great epics is past."
Option Analysis:
(a) The author of the passage carries a mirror in his pocket to reflect upon things. Nowhere in the passage does it mention a
mirror. "Reflect" is used in a different sense (thinking, not looking in a mirror).
(b) The author of the passage had decided to write a poem on epics. The passage says the author planned to write a book of poems about things in his pocket, but not about epics. Incorrect interpretation.
(c) The pocket-knife is described as the infant of the sword. The passage explicitly states: "the pocketknife, for instance, the type of all human tools, the infant of the sword." This is a direct statement from the passage, making this the correct answer.
(d) Epics are described as too inconvenient to write. The passage does not say epics are inconvenient, only that "the age of the great epics is past."
Correct Answer: (C) The pocket-knife is described as the infant of the sword.